Cause of Jefferson County fire under investigation

February 4, 2014

HARPERS FERRY - The cause of a fire that destroyed a home Saturday afternoon in Jefferson County remains under investigation by the West Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office.

One person who escaped the fire unharmed later was later hospitalized after suffering heart problems and was pronounced dead; however, Bakerton Volunteer Fire Chief Josh Smith said Monday the man's death was not a direct result of the fire.

"There was a homeowner who later suffered cardiac arrest and was taken to the local hospital and was later pronounced dead from cardiac problems. It was not related to the house fire. I'm sure it was related to stress, but it was not directly related. He was not burned or harmed by the fire," Smith said.

The fire, which was reported at about 12:59 p.m. Saturday, and occurred at a residence located in the 200 block of Redwood Court. Smith said the first units arrived at the scene at about 1:11 p.m. and found fire throughout the entire first floor and through the roof on the rear of the house.

"There were people home at the time of the fire, but they got out. The smoke detectors had alerted them and they had gotten everyone out of the home prior to the fire department's arrival," Smith said.

Firefighters worked for about three and a half hours to bring the fire control, but units remained at the scene until 6 p.m. to complete salvage and overhaul operations. Capt. Brad Fritts was in command at the scene.

The Bakerton Volunteer Fire Department was assisted at the scene by members of all of Jefferson County's fire companies, as well as numerous fire departments from Washington, Loudoun and Berkeley counties.